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Australian Police Recover Over 40,000 Stolen Bluey Collectable Coins

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Australian Police Recover Over 40,000 Stolen Bluey Collectable Coins

Police in Australia say they have recovered around 40,000 limited-edition coins based on the hit children’s television show Bluey.

It was reported in July that 63,000 of the coins – produced by the Australian Mint – had been stolen from a warehouse in Western Sydney, about two months before they were due to enter circulation. Authorities recovered 40,061 coins on Tuesday after a raid on a property about 10km (6 miles) from the storage facility.

Earlier that day, 27-year-old Christina Vale had been arrested and charged with breaking and entering and disposing of stolen property, police say. She was the third person arrested over the alleged theft.

The coins, which are worth A$1 ($0.65; 50p) a piece, were stolen two months before their planned release. New South Wales Police said they had previously been selling online for 10 times their face value.

Shortly after the theft was reported, Police in the state of New South Wales launched a special investigation into the incident codenamed Strike Force Bandit – after Bluey’s father. In August, they arrested 44-year-old Steven Nielsen, who was an employee at the warehouse, and Nassar Kanj, also 44, who they say acted as his accomplice in the alleged heist. Police will now argue in court that Christina Vale was the pair’s getaway driver.

The gold-coloured coins are known as Bluey dollarbucks – which is how money is referred to in the cartoon – and feature images of characters from the show. Bluey has been a huge international success, with the series streamed for more than 20 billion minutes on Disney+ in the US last year, putting it in the country’s top 10 streaming programmes.

The stolen coins are different from a collectable set of Bluey currency that caused a frenzy when it went on sale by the Royal Australian Mint in June this year. The recovery of over 40,000 of the stolen coins is a significant win for the police investigation into the high-profile theft.

Senegalese Parties Campaign Fiercely as Parliamentary Race Tests New President’s Agenda

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Senegalese Parties Campaign Fiercely as Parliamentary Race Tests New President’s Agenda

With fireworks displays, packed rallies, and town-to-town caravans, Senegalese political parties are wooing voters in a parliamentary race that will decide the extent to which the new president will be able to implement his agenda.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been under pressure to make good on promises to crack down on corruption and improve livelihoods that helped sweep him to power in April following a landslide election victory. Faye has accused lawmakers in the opposition-led national assembly of refusing to engage in meaningful talks, prompting him to dissolve parliament last month and call the legislative election on Nov. 17.

Faye’s Pastef party is competing for a majority that would secure his mandate, but former ruling parties have formed a rival coalition that unites the country’s influential ex-presidents Macky Sall and Abdoulaye Wade. “This election has symbolic significance,” said political analyst Mamadou Seck. “The critical challenge today is for Diomaye Faye to understand whether the people who elected him with 54% still support his program.”

Earlier in October, the government unveiled an ambitious 25-year development plan that Faye promised would boost local industry, diversify the economy, and create much-needed jobs for the West African country’s fast-growing population. However, the main threat to Pastef’s ambitions is the unexpected alliance of Sall’s Alliance for the Republic party (APR) and Wade’s Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS).

“This is the first time Pastef has decided to run alone, without a coalition. It appears that they are testing their strength and influence,” said analyst Seck, cautioning that the party had also recruited one-time allies of Sall in an effort to shore up support. The race also includes two smaller opposition coalitions represented by former Prime Minister Amadou Ba and mayor of the capital Dakar Barthelemy Dias.

“I wish all Senegalese and all political actors a peaceful and dignified electoral campaign, and I guarantee that … the best will win,” Faye said on national TV on Friday. The outcome of this parliamentary election will be crucial in determining the new president’s ability to implement his agenda and address the country’s pressing challenges.

Botswana’s Ruling Party Seeks to Extend Six-Decade Rule in General Elections

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Botswana’s Ruling Party Seeks to Extend Six-Decade Rule in General Elections

Southern Africa’s diamond-rich nation of Botswana voted in general elections on Wednesday, with the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) seeking to extend its nearly six-decade rule and hand a second term to President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

More than a million people registered to vote, with four presidential candidates in the race to head the region’s oldest democracy, installed on independence from Britain in 1966 when the BDP took office.

“It is my time to voice my opinion. I can’t wait,” said Lone Kobe, a 38-year-old self-employed woman who had been queuing since 3:15 a.m. at a polling station in the capital Gaborone. “We want to see true democracy, transparency and a free and fair election,” added Muthisi Kemo, a 56-year-old unemployed man.

Opposition groups have been critical of the country’s Independent Electoral Authority (IEC), including for failing to share a digital version of the voters roll and a shortage of ballot papers in early voting for public officers. An unemployment rate that has reached 27% amid a weakening economy has also been a key concern for voters.

However, the ruling party points to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, with weakened demand for diamonds also chipping away at revenues. An energetic Masisi, 63, held a final campaign rally in the capital, saying he wanted to use his second term “to polish” what he started in his first five years.

The main opposition alliance, the left-leaning Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), lost two key members in the run-up to voting day, with the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) quitting and each fielding their own presidential candidates. This was seen as a blow to the opposition’s chances.

With 61 seats up for grabs in parliament, Botswana’s first-past-the-post system means the first party to take 31 seats will be declared the winner and install its candidate as president. Counting will start in the hours after polling stations close on Wednesday, with results due late Thursday.

Botswana, one of Africa’s most stable democracies, is facing growing concerns over allegations of government corruption and mismanagement, as well as the equitable distribution of the country’s diamond wealth. The outcome of these elections will have significant implications for the nation’s political and economic trajectory.

Taliban Publicly Flog Afghan Woman and Three Men, Drawing UN Condemnation

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Taliban Publicly Flog Afghan Woman and Three Men, Drawing UN Condemnation

Taliban judicial officials said Tuesday that four people, including a woman, were publicly flogged in eastern Afghanistan for allegedly committing offenses such as “illicit relations” and “running away from home.”

The Supreme Court of the de facto radical Afghan rulers announced the latest punishments, saying they were carried out in Nangarhar province after a local court sentenced the four “criminals” to 39 lashes each.

This comes just days after the Taliban reported that five Afghans, including a woman, were flogged in public 39 times each in Parwan and Faryab provinces for committing acts considered crimes under their strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, such as adultery and homosexuality.

The United Nations has condemned such punishment being increasingly inflicted on Afghans under Taliban rule. Richard Bennett, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, stated in his latest report that the use of corporal punishment by the Taliban amounts to “torture and other ill-treatment.”

Bennett documented an “alarming increase” in such public floggings, with the Taliban’s Supreme Court reporting that 276 Afghans, including 46 women, were publicly punished between January and August 2023. He said individuals were also punished for “crimes” such as sodomy, homosexuality, and aiding a woman’s escape from home.

The U.N. envoy questioned the enforcement of the Taliban’s criminal justice system, noting the absence of legal protections and due process rights for defendants, including children. The report also detailed an alarming rise in cases of sexual violence against Afghan women in Taliban custody.

The Taliban defend their policies, including the harsh punishments, as being in line with their interpretation of Sharia law. However, no country has officially recognized the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan, citing human rights concerns and the treatment of women.

Somalia Expels Ethiopian Diplomat Amid Diplomatic Tensions

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Somalia Expels Ethiopian Diplomat Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Somalia has declared an Ethiopian diplomat working in Mogadishu a persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 72 hours.

In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the diplomat, Ali Mohamed Adan, who is a counselor at Ethiopia’s embassy, of engaging in “activities incompatible with his diplomatic role.” The ministry said these actions “constitute a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” but did not provide specifics.

Somalia and Ethiopia have been involved in a heated diplomatic dispute since Addis Ababa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the breakaway region of Somaliland. Somalia sees this as an infringement on its sovereignty, while Ethiopia and Somaliland have defended the MOU.

In April, Somalia expelled Ethiopia’s ambassador, Muktar Mohamed Ware, alleging “internal interference” by Ethiopia. The Somalian government also ordered the closure of Ethiopia’s consulates in Somaliland and Puntland, though they remained open.

Last month, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre urged the international community to stand with Somalia in condemning what he called Ethiopia’s attempts to “annex parts of Somalia under the guise of securing sea access.” Ethiopia’s then-foreign minister, Taye Atske Selassie, rejected the allegations, saying the MOU with Somaliland is “based on existing political dispensation in Somalia.”

The expulsion of the Ethiopian diplomat is the latest escalation in the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two Horn of Africa nations. Somalia’s government has accused Ethiopia of interfering in its internal affairs, while Ethiopia has maintained that its engagement with Somaliland is legitimate.

Olivier Rioux, World’s Tallest Teenage Basketball Player, Joins Florida Gators

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Olivier Rioux, World’s Tallest Teenage Basketball Player, Joins Florida Gators

Walking from his apartment to classes and then to the University of Florida’s basketball facility, Olivier Rioux poses for dozens – sometimes hundreds – of pictures a day. It’s all part of life for the 7-foot-9 freshman, who is the world’s tallest teenager and an intriguing basketball project for the 21st-ranked Gators.

At 2.4 meters (7 feet, 9 inches) tall, Rioux is the ultimate BMOC (Biggest Man On Campus) – and he’ll soon make basketball history when he takes the court this season. The cheerful Canadian will become the tallest player to ever compete in college basketball, supplanting the previous record holder, 7-foot-7 Kenny George of UNC Asheville.

“You get asked questions every day,” said Rioux, who enjoys drawing in his spare time. “You don’t have a single three seconds to yourself when you’re outside, which I was fine with because my brother and my dad are tall. As a family, we used to go out. That’s just how it was, and you can’t change that because people are curious.”

Rioux’s college teammates have quickly gotten accustomed to his towering presence. “It’s really weird looking up to someone,” said 7-foot-1 center Micah Handlogten. “But being around him just about every day, it’s just different when you’re out in public with him. People normally ask me, ‘You’re so tall. Do you play basketball?’ No one says a word to me (now). Everyone just looks to him. It’s kind of crazy.”

Rioux, who grew up in Terrebonne, Quebec, realized at a young age that he was different. He crossed the 6-foot mark by age 8 and topped 7 feet the summer before seventh grade. His family includes several other tall members, including a 6-2 mother, 6-8 father, and a 6-9 older brother.

Though Rioux has worked hard to prepare for Division I basketball, no one expects him to be an immediate star. Florida coach Todd Golden predicts he will be a fan favorite, with chants for “Oli” late in games. “That one we can see coming from a mile away,” Golden said. “About 95% of my conversations with random people about our team are about him.”

Rioux has flashed potential in practice, showcasing improved mobility, coordination and conditioning. Golden wants him to use his 305-pound frame to become more of a physical presence in the low post. The coach is excited to see Rioux’s development, noting, “Obviously, we can’t do that with anybody else.”

At just 19 years old, Rioux has already represented Canada’s national team in FIBA events. He’s one of six international players on Golden’s roster and a clear long-term project for the Gators. But with his size, skills and charming personality, Olivier Rioux is poised to become a unique and captivating figure in college basketball this season.

apnews.com

Journalist Mauricio Cruz Solis Shot Dead in Western Mexico

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Journalist Mauricio Cruz Solis Shot Dead in Western Mexico

A journalist was shot dead Tuesday night in western Mexico, a local prosecutor’s office said, in a part of the country hit hard by organized crime.

Mauricio Cruz Solis, a host on local radio station La Poderosa Uruapan who also published news on the Minuto x Minuto outlet, was killed in the city of Uruapan. One other person was wounded in the attack.

The radio station where Cruz Solis worked mourned his killing in a statement, saying “Mauricio was more than a colleague, he was an unconditional friend, a source of inspiration and a tireless voice in the service of our community.”

Mexico is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, news advocacy groups say. Reporters Without Borders states that more than 150 newspeople have been killed in Mexico since 1994.

Cruz Solis’s murder is the first killing of a journalist under the government of Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office on October 1, although there have been other attacks on media this month. On October 18, gunmen shot at the front of the El Debate newspaper’s office in Culiacan, the state capital of cartel stronghold Sinaloa.

The western state of Michoacán, where Uruapan is located, has been wracked by violence related to drug trafficking. Mexico remains one of the world’s most dangerous countries for members of the press to operate in.

Russia Claims Two Ukrainian Towns as Advances Accelerate

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Russia Claims Two Ukrainian Towns as Advances Accelerate

Russia said on Tuesday it had taken two eastern Ukrainian towns and open-source data indicated that Moscow’s forces were advancing at their fastest pace in at least a year, amid signs the conflict is drawing in new players such as North Korea.

Russia’s Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said the country’s forces had seized control of the town of Selydove, which had a population of 20,000 before the war, as well as the town of Hirnyk, which had a pre-war population of over 10,000.

Ukraine’s military did not comment directly on the Russian claims, but reported 31 combat clashes on the Pokrovsk front during the past 24 hours, including near Selydove. Open-source intelligence maps showed part of Selydove as being under Russian control.

According to the Russian media group Agentstvo, which analyzed Ukrainian open-source data, Russia made even bigger gains in the week of Oct. 20-27, taking 196.1 square kilometers (75.7 square miles) of Ukrainian territory – “the fastest weekly advance since at least the beginning of this year.”

The advance of Moscow’s forces, which control just under a fifth of Ukraine, has underlined Russia’s vast numerical superiority in men and materiel as Ukraine pleads for more weapons from its Western allies.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the US will not impose new limits on Ukraine’s use of American weapons if North Korea joins Russia’s war, as NATO reported that North Korean military units had been deployed to the Kursk region. The Pentagon estimated that 10,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to Russia for training.

The 2-1/2-year-old war in Ukraine is entering what Russian analysts say is its most dangerous phase as Moscow’s forces advance, North Korea sends troops to Russia and the West ponders how the conflict will end.

Massive Sewage Geyser Erupts in Moscow, Raining Down on Streets Below

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Massive Sewage Geyser Erupts in Moscow, Raining Down on Streets Below

Stomach-churning social media footage from Russia captures a geyser the size of a tower block of sewage shooting 180 feet into the air and raining down on the streets below in the Novaya Moskva district of Moscow.

The foul fountain raged for several minutes, with several cars seen close by that likely got hit with the waste water. Residential buildings and pedestrians in the area were also likely affected by the deluge of sewage.

“A shit show, literally,” one X (formerly Twitter) user captioned the moment, while Ukrainian patriot Anton Gerashchenko shared the video with his 634,000 followers, where it has now racked up over 3.7 million views.

There was sympathy for those who would have to clean up the huge mess, with one commenter noting: “Imagine that it all fall down, transported by wind, smell… beurk!!! And the technicians are in the trenches at the frontline.”

According to Russia’s state-owned conglomerate Gazprom, the incident was caused by a new section of gas pipeline being cleaned out, with the company saying the situation is under control. Local authorities are reported as working to contain the damage and minimize health risks to the public.

This is not the first time the integrity of Russia’s sewage infrastructure has come into question. In January, a Russian politician criticized gender-neutral toilets found in Ukraine, noting that a quarter of Russians do not have access to centralized sewerage.

Cleanup crews are expected to remain on site until the sewage geyser incident is fully contained. The dramatic footage has sparked widespread disgust and mockery on social media over the state of Russia’s infrastructure.

Deadly Crash in India: At Least 12 Killed, Over 40 Injured as Bus Smashes into Concrete Tunnel

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Deadly Crash in India: At Least 12 Killed, Over 40 Injured as Bus Smashes into Concrete Tunnel

At least 12 people have been killed and more than 40 others injured after a bus smashed into a concrete tunnel in India’s Sikar district, Rajasthan, India.

The privately operated bus lost control on a road in Sikar before colliding with a culvert at around 2 pm on Tuesday, say police. Terrified eyewitnesses told cops the bus started to swerve erratically before hitting the concrete structure at speed.

Two passengers are believed to have died during the initial impact, with harrowing pictures showing the aftermath of the accident. The front of the bus was completely crushed as emergency workers used a crane to move the wreckage.

Three others tragically died during surgery, said SK Hospital Superintendent Mahendra Khichad. Around 23 people are still undergoing treatment for various serious injuries.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed his condolences, saying it was “truly heartbreaking that lives were lost in this unfortunate incident.” India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced plans to provide financial assistance to the victims’ families and the injured.

There has been no confirmation on what caused the crash as of yet. India has seen a number of fatal bus crashes in recent months, including incidents where vehicles have plunged into gorges, highlighting the need for improved road safety measures.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to this latest tragic accident in Sikar. The local government has vowed to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical treatment.

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